I was studying chemistry at college because my family thought it was the key to success. One day, my professor took me aside and asked a very simple question, "Why are you in my class when it's obvious that you have little or no 1 in chemistry?"
I came up with an explanation by 2 pressure from my dad, but he knew it was just a /an 3 excuse. He gave me the following advice.
"Success can only be measured by oneself, and each of us is 4. Your success will not be the same as mine, as your neighbor's or your parents'. There is no secret formula(公式), no examination you have to 5, and no guarantee, but there is a secret ingredient6. To be successful in life in the broadest sense, you must pursue your passion. 7 it is fixing cars or exploring the world, you must be passionate about your 8 and set a path to achieve it. Only then will you find true 9."
Since I was just nineteen years old, that was pretty profound advice to 10, but I knew instinctively (本能地) that he was 11. I made a conscious self-examination of my short life to 12 where my passion was hiding. It was so 13 that even my kid sister could have told me my true passion was music. It was in my genes. I could play the piano by ear, but had 14 considered music as a hobby.
Could I be a successful musician? Or a songwriter? Or a music critic? There was only one way to find out, so I took my professor's 15 and switched to the university's music school. I studied harmony and composition, learned how to play a clarinet(单簧管) and 16 the symphony orchestra. I felt as though I was on top of the world, and that 17 has never left me.
I'm now fifty-four years old, and a very happy and 18 man. As I look at the walls of my small office, I still get a thrill at seeing the records I 19, the photos of the famous musicians I was lucky enough to play with, and the praises from many of the finest instrumentalists in the world who I am honored to call my friends.
Life was a long journey, and not a/an 20 one, but I followed my passion and succeeded.
